India Expense: How Much Does It Really Cost to Travel in India?

When people ask India expense, the total amount of money needed to travel across India, including food, transport, lodging, and activities. Also known as travel cost India, it's not about how rich you are—it's about how you spend. Many assume India is cheap because it’s often called a budget destination. But that’s like saying a car is cheap because it has four wheels. The truth? You can spend $10 a day or $500 a day in India—and both are totally valid.

What drives the difference? accommodation, where you sleep, from hostels to heritage hotels matters most. A basic room in a small town might cost $5. A restored palace in Rajasthan? $200. Then there’s transport, how you move around—local buses, trains, or private drivers. A train ticket from Delhi to Agra? Under $10. A private car with a driver for a week? Around $150. Food is another big one. A street-side thali in Varanasi runs $1.50. A fine-dining experience in Goa? $50. And don’t forget entry fees—some temples, parks, and wildlife reserves charge foreigners more than locals. That’s normal. It’s not a scam. It’s how many sites fund conservation and upkeep.

Here’s what most travelers don’t expect: the biggest expenses aren’t always the obvious ones. It’s the unplanned taxi rides, the last-minute booking fees, the bottled water you buy because you’re too tired to find clean taps. And then there’s the seasonal spike—during Diwali, Holi, or the Kumbh Mela, prices jump everywhere. Flights, hotels, even rickshaw fares. Plan ahead, and you’ll save big. Skip the tourist traps in Delhi’s Old City and eat where the locals do. Take overnight trains instead of flights. Stay in homestays instead of resorts. These aren’t hacks—they’re just how people who know India travel.

You’ll find posts here that break down exactly how much you’ll spend on a safari in Ranthambore, how to get from Goa’s airport to the beach without getting ripped off, and why Kerala is still one of the most affordable places to visit in South India—even in 2025. We’ll show you daily budgets for different styles of travel, from backpackers to couples looking for comfort without luxury. You’ll see real numbers, not guesses. No fluff. No marketing spin. Just what you need to know before you pack your bags.